Using Private Cars On Business Could Cost You Dear

MORE than 2 million privately owned cars are currently used on business by UK companies each year. “These are employees’ own cars and frankly I’d be surprised if many businesses have had the cars checked to see if they’re roadworthy. Yes, I know that an increasing number of companies are checking driving licences and sometimes insurance for these drivers, as well, but making sure the cars are safe to operate? Somehow, I don’t think so.

This makes for an increasingly dangerous situation for both employer and driver.  Despite the fact that the controversial Corporate Manslaughter bill is still making its way slowly through Parliament employers even today risk being prosecuted under existing health and safety legislation for not ensuring that their drivers are using a safe and roadworthy vehicle. And now the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is consulting on its prosecution policy and practice. The consultation document already acknowledges that employers can be prosecuted along with the driver, for causing death by dangerous driving where it can be shown that they knew the vehicle was in a dangerous condition.

Worse than this though, the current CPS guidance cites the following examples where corporate or individual responsibility may arise; where an operator has no regular system of preventative checks or where a company director knows about a defect but still allows the vehicle to go out on behalf of his company’s business.

So, I come back to my earlier point. How do you know when a vehicle is safe? There are after all, no simple checks. Just having a current MOT certificate is certainly not enough – all this means is that on the day of the test, the car met the laid-down standards. Nine or 11 months later the whole safety situation will have changed.

The only answer I can see to this problem is either to use a rental vehicle which, if it belongs to a BVRLA Member, will have been thoroughly checked immediately prior to rental or alternatively to use a company owned vehicle, preferably one on contract hire as that will have a detailed history of all services and repairs. At the end of the day, and short of complicated and expensive checking procedures, these are the only safe ways of ensuring that your employees, and your directors, are safe."  says John Lewis, Director General of the BVRLA.

Congratulations...

"FROM all at Springbok Trekkers, we would like to say congratulations to these two.  Both of them got engaged on Friday 9 March 2006 and celebrated at our club."  springboktrekkers.com

HAVE YOU GOT WHAT IT TAKES TO COMPETE WITH THE BEST?

AS part of its 2007 ‘Every Second Counts’ appeal, the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign is offering local readers the opportunity to take part in a weekend of adrenalin filled activities to see if you can measure up against expert former Special Forces soldiers as you also raise money for charity.

Join other adventure seeking individuals on this countryside escape as you learn such skills as survival techniques, camouflage and concealment, shelter building, navigation and night awareness. This thrilling event will test your newfound skills and leave you wanting more. All you have to do to take part is raise a minimum of £285 in sponsorship for an experience that will stay with you forever.  The next date available for this adventure is 8 June 2007 to 10 June 2007 and the exact top secret location in Cumbria will be revealed when you book your place.

Participants can enter as individuals and be assigned to a team on arrival or can enter as a team of five with other like minded friends or work colleagues. You do not have to be super-fit, but you must be able to swim and be over eighteen to take part.

If you would like to put your determination and stamina to the ultimate test then contact the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign for an information pack on 01244 403012 or email them.